Christians for their Security in Matters relating to our present Peace and eternal Salvation can any Errour be less corrigible any Precipice more unavoidable any Wretchedness so deplorable It is a Slavery great enough that the Immortal Soul so near related to the Seraphims should borrow her Lights at least the first Sparks of All from dull Sense and earthly Images that 's one dreadful Effect of Sin Penal Darknesses sayes St. Augustin 1. Conf. c. 18. are sprinkled over our Rebellious Concupiscences But then notwithstanding this so abject dependence of Man's Soul deriv'd from so shameful a Cause whatever Sacred Lights are set up whereby to guide our Apprehensions in the search of Divine Mysteries and to rectifie our Judgement and Will in the acceptance and use of them to their due ends still to be puzzling in the Mists and Shadows of sensible Images and while Divine Revelation for our improvement in all Christian Truths and Duties discovers unto us the Mysteries of his Love and this by so convincing a Proponent that although sifted by the severest Enquiry doth rationally create an Evidence of the Credibility of those Mysteries prudently undeniable and absolutely above whatever may venture to stand in opposition to it and is moreover approv'd and recommended unto us at our utter peril by our Blessed Lord for the entire convicting our Humane Reasonings and Fallacies and for the obliging our Wills to a free and firm assent as a Means above all Reasonable Exception everlastingly to fetter the Illustrious and super-illuminated Soul with Arguments drawn from blind and creeping Sensuality and this in Matters however transcendent and Divine is justly proclaim'd by St. Augustin Epist 118. c. 5. a most Insolent and unsufferable Madness IV. Yet further amidst the whole Symbol of the Mysteries of Grace thus revealed and this Revelation so manifestly propounded and attested through a wretched Self-choice the true Parent of Schism and of all thence growing Heresies which Party and Passion against the antient and authentick Rule of Credibility Mishaps into reveal'd Truths To admit One or some few Points of Faith for the securing some apparent Right to the Title of a Christian but to reject all others purely through the Suggestion of a private Opinion or through an over-ruling Power of a prevailing Society broken off from and in opposition unto the Antient Holy and Vndivided Body of Christians even such at the first appearing of Luther Calvin Zuinglius and other Vn-authoriz'd Preachers of new Lights whereas all Articles of Christian Faith are alike reveal'd and the Revelation of all is equally evidenc'd for the securing Catholick Unity and the obliging all to a peaceable Submission and Communion therein This without question demonstrates evidently a willful Separation Perverseness and Obstinacy in this most important Affair of Man's Salvation and that sinful man not one way only offers Sacrifice to the Apostate Angels Aug. 1. Conf. c. 17. V. For all Christian Verities however different as to their Matter and Objects yet as they are Articles of Super-natural Faith reveal'd to Man by Truth it self and shining to Him in a Divine Light and as witnessed to be so revealed by the Authority of a prudently convincing Proponent above all Exception or apparent Competition are of One and the same Kind and Nature and consequently are also inseparable if not as to actual Assent when so propounded yet at least as to the actual Obligation of Assent so as not to contradict or dissent from Them And thus whether this their Vnity and Inseparableness arise from the only Motive of all Assent in Matters of Divine Faith which is Gods Veracity Revealing All or from the Visible and Living Proponent of this Revelation or Divine Credibility which is the Authority of the Catholick Church and which as to all Matters within the Precincts of Divine Faith is the most Rational and therefore to every Prudent and Sober Enquirer of revealed Truths is the most convincing of all Humane Authorities The Pillar of Truth 1 Tim. 3.16 the true Interpreter of Gods Word Trid. Sess 4. de Edit Libr. Sacr. and Rule of Faith Aug. Epist 118. c. 5. l. contr Epist Fund c. 5. l. 1. contr Crescon c. 33. against which no Infidelity or Malice shall prevail Matt. 16.18 Aug. l. 1. Symb. c. 6. Epist 48. especially if that Authority of Learn'd Holy and Industrious Pastors and Doctors be further consider'd as authoriz'd by the express Institution and Testimony of Christ and as such recommended to our pious Obedience and Credulity by the thence ensuing Practice of all Believers ever own'd by an un-interrupted Series of Doctors and an unalter'd Chain of Doctrines to be within the Pale of the True Church And surely the ordinary course of the Sun and Stars is more marvellous and useful than the irregular and fatal Rays of giddy and dwindling Comets Sect. II. That this secure Means of arriving to Truth is Easie and Effectual VI. THis Authority of the Catholick Church whose Hierarchy supposes Superiours and Subjects and whose Mysteries do imply Doctors and Disciples is Eminential or Representative The Eminential Authority resides in One chief Bishop Superiour and Doctor though invested successively in each one of the whole Series of chief Bishops from St. Peter till now by a Legal Mission governing and teaching Christs Flock as His Vicegerents in His Name and with His Spirit and thus forward to the Worlds end The Representative Authority is diffus'd through many subordinate Pastors who as Superiors and Teachers of their special Flocks conserve the Traditions of the Ancients and instruct their Disciples in the Doctrine and Duties they receiv'd from above but is especially visible in the solemn Assemblies of these Church-Governours when legally conven'd they meet under and with their chief Bishop through the several Ages of the Church for the securing and publishing those Traditions against the Novelties of private and unsent Teachers And thus as it is no hard Matter for Subjects to determine the Imperial Right of and their own Duty to a Prince who claims by Legal Succession and Descent in the Legitimate Line of his Royal Ancestors So neither can there be any rational Doubt in whom this either Eminential or Representative Church-Authority establish'd by Christ for the conserving of Peace Truth and Obedience amongst Believers doth even this day reside with all its due Prerogatives Joan. 21.17 Chalced. act 16. in Epist ad Leon. P. Synod 6. act 18. 7. act 2. Florent Decret Vnion Iren. l. 3. c. 3. Athan. Ep. ad Faelic P. Theodoret. Ep. ad Renat Hier. Ep. ad Dam. Aug. Ep. 162. VII Now either of these Church-Authorities considering Mans present dependence on superiour Lights and Guides as to Divine Mysteries is the most unquestionable and most safe Evidencer of what Truths are indeed reveal'd by Christ and of their true Sense and Use any sincere Enquirer can reasonably appeal unto for satisfaction and security in Matters and Controversies of a Supernatural Religion And hence the
Fathers send us sometimes to the Eminential Line of Church-Authority for the justifying Catholick Faith against the Invasions of Schism and Heresie Iraen cit Tertul. l. praescript c. 32. Hier. dial contr Lucifer Aug. Ep. 165. psalm contr part Donat. contr Ep. fund c. 4. Epiph. haer 27. Optat. l. 2. contr Parmen thereby proving the Catholick Church to be the only Apostolical as well from the Vocation and Succession of chief Bishops as for the perpetuity of its Doctrines At other times they refer us to the Body of Church-Representatives for the final Decision of all Controversies in Matters of Faith and Duty Gelas Ep. ad Episc Dardan Cyril l. 1. Trin. Ep. 1. Leo. Ep. 53 54 55. 61. Greg. l. 1. Ep. 24. Ambr. Ep. 13. Naz. l. de fid Orat. de Athan. Ep. ad Cledon Aug. l. 1. contr Crescon c. 33. VIII These Methods therefore of seeking the whole Symbol of Christian Religion are easie and secure for the Church-Authority now being is the same with that through all Ages visible to All by the perpetuity of chief Bishops by the Synods of subordinate Pastors and by the Communion of Christians with both and is efficacious enough in guiding and obliging even prescinding from that Infallibility either of those Church-Authorities have from Gods special Assistance asserted by Scripture because it resides in the most Illustrious Collection of learned and zealous Pastors and Doctors the whole World can offer as a Guide to Mankind in Matters most Important that being also their only business and they therein very intent and unanimous as to all Doctrines and Practices necessary But much rather if regarded under the Commission of that their Authority it being their special Institution and Office so to guide to that intent authoriz'd by Christ successively for all Ages that Establishment being legally proclaim'd by the Apostles and the use of this Commissive Power executed by Apostolical Governours and acknowledg'd by an universal and un-interrupted Practice of the Undoubted Christian Churches In the chief Apostolical Church the Ecclesiastical Supremacy hath ever flourished saith St. Augustin Ep. 162. and therefore To this Church all others owe their being Orthodox says Iren. cit S. Hier. adds Dial. cit fin That its perpetuity is an easie and plain Demonstration of the Duty we owe to its Doctrines and Precepts Sect. III. That this Authority assented unto all Controversies of Religion even this of the Veneration due to the Holy Mother of JESUS is at the end IX THis Church-Authority so ancient so universal so uniform and easie being once admitted by all Parties as admitting no Opposition no Competition no Appeal in Decisions of Faith the Remedy of all Ignorance and Error in Matters relating to Man's Sanctification is plain and effectual all Separation in Judgement and Manners as to the perilous Doubts what Truths are reveal'd and what Precepts impos'd would become void and the whole Body of Christians would become Catholick as well in Vnity of Belief and Practice as in the Confession of One God one Christ one Baptism Mysteries as hard and as incomprehensible as any assented unto by Catholicks by reason of that Authority X. Neither would it be here needful to set forth an Apology for my Innocent Contemplations on the Life and Glory of Holy Mary the Mother of JESUS they being in every Point consonant to the Judgment and Practice of Church-Authority nothing being therein asserted or used which may give any reasonable Jealousie of an attributed Deity or may transcend the just Prerogatives of a Pure Creature since all those Praises Titles of Honour Acts of Veneration and humble Addresses therein used imply that express Limitation of Her being a Pure Creature than which nothing can more derogate from the Perfections or Rights of a Divinity although still we must own to the Holy Mother of Jesus all those Excellencies and Duties unto WHOM the most Illustrious Gifts of Nature and Grace consistent in a PURE CREATURE seem enough only to qualifie Her for the super-eminent and ineffable Excellency of a Divine Maternity Matt. 1.16 Conc. Ephes 1. cap. 13. Greg. l. 1. Reg. c. 1. an Excellency which is the most magnificent of all communicable to a Pure Creature which no Christian can deny to Holy Mary and which as confer'd on a Pure Creature is the Measure of what-ever is said in those Contemplations according to the Pious Maxim of subtil Scotus 3. d. 3. q. 1. n. 10. That whatsoever is most Excellent is due to Holy Mary unless contrary to the Oracles of Divine Revelation or the Churches Authority And thus the whole Body of Christianity saith St. Ansel libr. de Excel Virg. c. 4. doth acknowledge Her to be priviledg'd above all the Chores of Angels And seated only beneath the un-accessible Throne of the most adorable Trinity saith St. Greg. cit Sect. IV. Two sorts of Persons oppose these Marian Contemplations and upon what Grounds XI THE modern Opposers of these Contemplations are of two kinds a friendly Trimmer Speculum B. V. London Printed for R. T. An. 1686. and an open Vigilantian Answ to a Catholick Mis-represented To the first belong all they who whatever Judgement they have of the Substance of the Doctrine and Devotions of the Contemplations wherein they are very yielding blame the Excess of some Expressions either as unduly worded or not cautiously trimmed to the present Humour and Palate of such Mis-believers who will not away with sound and wholesome Meats if not toothsome also or if themselves ill digest some Catholick Doctrines and Duties as if therefore such Meats were not to be offer'd to the Sound and Healthful And there be of these too who so trim in this great Point of Christian Piety towards the Holy Mother of JESVS so ancient and renown'd through all Nations and Ages of the Church as to reduce the whole design of the Worship of Saints to a bare Admiration Commemoration and Imitation of their Virtues Spec. c. p. 9. 29. as if the Veneration of the glorious Saints aecording to their several Degrees of Super-natural and Eternal Excellencies and our Mediation of Intercession directed mediately or immediately unto Them were not in themselves Christian Virtues or that the Practice of these Vertues were not due by Us to their high Rank and Honour as they are the refin'd and excellent Images Temples and Favourites of God or that our being Christians should under peril of the heaviest Crime and Penalty of Idolatry oblige us to lay aside all good Manners and whereas our Morals teach Men to reverence and petition the more Illustrious sort even of sinful Mortals The Gospel should command us under forfeiture of all that is Sacred and comfortable to neglect both towards the glorify'd Saints so incomparably above Us and so acceptable to God for those Excellencies especially since They by reason of those their excellent virtues and Gods Supernatural Gifts the Motives and Measure of all that Praise Honour Worship
and Design being only a new model'd Continuation of the Devotions of our Fore-Fathers in several Ages Tongues and Nations supported by an uniform Tradition of Holy Fathers Doctors and Preachers and co-herent with the un-interrupted Authority of the suceeeding Chief Eminential and Representative Governours of the Catholick Church who are the Fathers of our Faith under Christ And certainly it must appear to any Rational and considering Christian to be an extream Folly and Insolent Madness according to St. Augustine's Rule Epist 118. ad Jan. to dispute a Catholick Doctrine and Duty which the whole Church hath canoniz'd as holy and profitable by her perpetual Acceptance and Practice and whose Opposers have still been branded with the vilest Notes and Characters of Ignominy by the undoubted Rulers and Pastors of that Church and accounted Violators of the Majesty Innocency Holiness and Glory of the Son while they abrogate or impair the Honour of his Divine Sanctuary Holy Mary the Mother of JESVS For the Ignominy and Scorns past on the Parent is also the contumely of the Child Eccl. 3.13 LXXIV Nor may we abridge the Veneration due to Holy Mary since her Son JESVS would not infringe a Rule of Honour to Her engrafted by Nature in All Children and by Grace confirm'd and recommended to all Luc. 2.51 Since the Holy Ghost hath through all States of Gods People since Adams Fall by the Pens of the Divine Writers pronounc'd the lofty and Magnificent Panegyricks of the Mother of JESVS Gen. 3.15 Psalm 86.3 Matt. 1.16 and since our Soveraign Lord has by a special Commission made all Christians adoptive Children of the Mother of JESVS and by his last breath oblig'd all to accept Her as such and to pay all those Marks of Honour to Her which may become that Duty and report we have to JESVS Jo. 19.27 So that there cannot be a greater Reproach cast upon a Christian next to his Apostacy from Christ by Heresie or Schism than to contaminate this holy Sanctuary of Christ by ravishing the Honour and Veneration due to Holy Mary who gave to JESVS those rich Springs of peace-making Blood which was the price of the World the Laver of our Souls and purchase of our Glory and by whom all Nations are bless'd In pursuance of which Magnificent Favours all Generations of the Catholick Church have been ever busie in the Praises Honour and Worship of that rich Fountain whence those precious Streams of super-natural Blessings issu'd and in courting Her by their humble Addresses for Protection and Intercession to God for us Whence such copious Blessings have already flow'd in the Souls of the Saints the living Images of God and Temples of his Sanctity Grace and Glory All which will manifestly appear by the following Testimonies of the Fathers in the several Ages of the Church carrying in themselves and handing unto us the sense and Practice of the Diffusive Church holding Communion with and Obedience to the Eminential and Representative Sect. XVII Illustrious Testimonies of the Reverence of the first Age of the Church towards the Holy Mother of JESUS as a Rule to all succeeding Ages thereof LXXV THE first Age offers to us the sacred and venerable Testimonies of the holy Evangelists Apostles and some Fathers of the Infant Church of Christ though only glancing briefly at the eminent Priviledges Perfections and Merits of this Divine Creature and the consequent efficacy of her Power at the throne of Mercy of her Son JESVS Under which Heads they have left unto all following Ages the most Illustrious and pithy Panegyricks on the Mother of God that could ever be proclaim'd by the Tongue of Men or Angels that have served to all succeeding Doctors and Preachers through all Nations as Theams for their Sermons and Orations and which are of that Majesty and efficacy as to bend the knees of all Pure Creatures unto her as their powerful Queen and Advocate LXXVI First then as to the Illustrious Prerogatives of Holy Mary she is stiled the Spouse of the Holy Ghost (a) What is born in Mary is of the Holy Ghost Matt. 1.20 The Holy Ghost shall come down upon Thee and the Virtue of the most High shall over-shadow Thee Luke 1.35 Matt. 1.20 Luc. 1.35 The Mother of JESVS (b) Of Mary is born JESVS Matt. 1.16 This is the Son of Mary Mark 6.2 Matt. 1.16 Mar. 6.2 and the Miraculous Instrument of the ineffable Vnion of Con-subsistence of God and Man in the Person of the eternal Word and the Rich Fountain of the Blood of JESVS saving on the Cross sanctifying in the Sacraments and pleading at the Tribunal of Gods Justice (c) Thou shalt call his Name JESVS for he shall save his People from their sins Matt. 1.21 He healed many of their Sicknesses and Sores and of evil Spirits and gave sight to many blind Luke 7.21 Neither is there any other Name under Heaven given to Men in which we have Right to be saved Act. 4.12 God fent his Son made of a Woman made subject to the Law that he might redeem those who were under the Law that we might receive the Adoption of Children Gal. 4.4 5. Thou wert slain and didst redeem us in thy blood Apoc. 5.9 Matt. 1.21 Luke 7.21 Act. 4.12 Gal. 4.4 5. Apoc. 5.9 Titles far above those of Queen of Angels and Refuge of Sinners LXXVII Next for the most sublime virtues of holy Mary The Evangelists recommend unto us Her fervent Practice of Divine Contemplation of Extatick Prayer and of giving praises to her Almighty Benefactor (a) Mary conserv'd all these words meditating on them in her heart Luke 2.19 All persever'd in Prayer with one accord with Mary the Mother of JESVS Act. 1.14 Let my Soul magnifie my Lord c. Luke 1.47 Luke 2.19 Act. 1.14 Luke 1.47 Her exeellent Faith. (b) Blessed art Thou who hast believed Luke 1.45 Luke 1.45 Admirable Purity (c) The Angel was sent to a Virgin espoused unto Joseph and the Name of the Virgin was Mary Luke 1.27 How shall this be done for I know not Man. 34. Let it be done to Me as thou hast said 38. Luke 1.27.34 38. Profound Humility (d) Behold the Handmaid of our Lord. Luke 1.38 Mary arising went to the Mountains 39. Luke 1.38 39. Perfect Obedience (e) Mary went to the Mountains in great hast Luke 1.39 Mary big with Child goes from Nazereth to Bethleem to obey the command of Caesar Luke 2.5 Luke 1.39 2.5 Her Fidelity and Obsequiousness (f) They found JESVS with Mary his Mother Matt. 2.11 Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months Luke 1.36 Matt. 2.11 Luke 1.56 Her incomparable Fortitude and Patience (g) Joseph goeth from Nazareth to Bethlehem with Mary his Spouse then big with Child Luke 2.4.5 Mary the Mother of JESVS stood near the Cross Jo. 19.25 The Sword of the Sorrows of JESVS shall penetrate thy very Soul. Luke 2.35 Luke 2.4 Jo. 19.25
in the Colledge of the Apostles celebrating her Praises with Hymns and Canticks (d) Quando ad contuendum Corpus quod vitae principium dedit Deum suscepit convenissemus Viso sacro corpore placuit omnibus prout quisque poterat hymnis celebrare infinitam Bonitatem Divina potentiae Epist Dion cit When we met to behold that Body which gave the beginning of Life and wherein God lodg'd Having beheld the Body each one according to his Power sung forth Hymns of Glory to the Infinite Bounty of the divine Power Epist Dion ad Timoth. apud Damasc Orat. 2. de Dormit Deip. LXXXII From these Illustrious Witnesses of the Ancient and Innocent Veneration and Invocation of the Mother of JESVS it manifestly appears that albeit the Sacred Monuments of this First and others next succeeding Ages of the Catholick Church either decay'd by Time or destroy'd by Persecutors or falsifi'd by false Brethren be few in regard of the great Train of holy Pastors and Teachers who by their Doctrine and Practice convey'd to us the Apostolical Faith and Holy Institutions conserv'd entire to this day by the Divine Providence ever assisting and guiding the Eminential and Representative Church-Authority Yet even these few do abundantly demonstrate the Primitive Doctrine and Practice of this Important Article of the Communion of the Saints as to the Worship and Intercession of Holy Mary the Mother of JESVS even under the dreadful Mystery of the Sacrifice of the Mass the greatest Act of Divine Worship Sect. XVIII Testimonies of the Second Age. LXXXIII IN the Second Age St. Irenaeus stiles the Holy Mother of JESVS The Advocate of the guilty Children of Eve. (a) Suasa est Maria obedire Deo ut Evae Virginis Maria Virgo fieret Advocata Iren. cit Libr. 5. c. 19. And Tertullian calls Her The Co-adjutrice of our Saviour JESVS in repairing the Apostacy of our first Parents and in promoting Mans Salvation (b) In Evam adhuc Virginem irrepserat Verbum aedificatorium mortis In Virginem aeque introducendum erat Verbum Dei extructorium Vitae ut quod per ejusmodi sexum abierat in perditionem per eundem redigeretur in salutem quod Eva credendo deliquit Maria credendo delevit Tert. cit Where the Parallel runs between the efficacy of Eves sin to perpetuate Mans ruine and the Excellencies of the Holiness of the Mother of JESVS to continue Mans Salvation and speaking elsewhere of the Catholick Worship of things Sacred and especially of the Holy Cross he has this remarkable Saying Ejusmodi disciplinarum si Leges expostules Scripturarum nullam invenies Traditio tibi praetendetur Auctrix consuetudo firmatrix fides observatrix l. Cor. Mil. c. 3. If sayes he you require an Express Authority of Holy Scripture for these our observances we alledge none we assert Tradition to be their Introducer Custom their Conserver and Faith their Observer l. de Carn Christ c. 17. And the great St. Justin Martyr in his Illustrious Apology for Christian Religion offer'd to Antoninus Pius the Emperor doth in express Words vindicate this Age of the Church from the Imputation of Atheism impos'd by Pagans for the practice of Saint-Servitude acknowledging the Fact but denying and refuting the Crime in that Christians give them not Divine but only Saint-Worship (c) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Justin cit We do in deed and Truth sayes he Worship adore and venerate the most true God and his Son whom he sent into the World to teach us these things and also the Troops of his Followers and Imitators of the good Angels and the Spirits of the Prophets and this Doctrine we sincerely teach others as we our selves were taught Justin Mart. Apol. 2. ad Antonin Pium Imper. Vid. Apol. 1. ad Senat. Resp ad q. 30. Gentil wherein he exactly agrees with the first Age and the practice of Ours Sect. XIX Testimonies of the Third Age. LXXXIV THis Age gives us many solemn Witnesses of the Practice of Christians in their days in Worshipping and Invocating the Glorious Saints and consequently of the Holy Mother of JESVS the Queen of Angels and Saints S. Cypr. Epist 34. 37. ad Clerum Cornel. P. Epist 1. Euseb Alex. hom de Cult Sanct. Orig. Hom. 1. in Ezech. med l. 8. contr Cels hom 5. in Cant. hom 16. in Jos But S. Methodius doth specially dilate himself in the Praises of Holy Mary (a) Salve in aeternum Ineffabile Gaudium Ad te namque rursus recurrimus Tu Festivitatis nostrae Principium Tu medium Tu Finis Tu sons uberrimus totius Sanctitatis animarum Altare In te perbenignus Conditor ferventissima Charitatis flammas quasi conferâ—â—s solis radios est ejaculatus Method cit All hail for ever O Ineffable Joy we again have recourse to thy protection for thou art the Beginning the Advancement and Conclusion of our Festivals the over-flowing Fountain of all Holiness the Altar of our Souls In thee our most bountiful Creator hath power'd forth the flames of his most ardent Charity as so many condensed beams of a glorious Sun. Orat. in Hypant Dom. where having given Her many magnificent Titles of Honour he expresseth his singular confidence in her protection through the whole Course of his Life and to that end He requests Her powerful Aid calling Her the delicious Fountain of Salvation and Altar of Propitiation where the Almighty Creator casts forth the powerful beams of his most ardent Love. Sect. XX. Testimonies of the Fourth Age. LXXXV THE Fourth Age abounds with a copious train of Zealous Witnesses of this great Article of Christian Doctrine and Devotion towards the Glorious Mother of JESVS receiv'd from their holy Pastors and Teachers and by their pious Care transmitted to their Disciples and Successors for a clear conviction of the Innocency Equity and Antiquity of the Veneration given to Her by the Catholick Church (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Athan. cit Since he who was born of the Virgin is a King Soveraign Lord and God she also of whom he was born is truly and properly a Queen Lady and Mother of God Le ts then say that now it is verifi'd That the Queen stands at the Right hand of JESVS clad in a Mantle of Gold embroider'd with Jewels of an Infinite variety To thee we cry out Remember us O most Holy Virgin and for these our small Praises render unto us rich Gifts out of the Treasures of thy Graces O thou who art full of Grace O Mistris O Lady O Queen O Mother of God make Intercession for us St. Athanasius Serm. de Sanctis Deipar proves Her Right to the Imperial Titles of Lady and Queen from her being the True Mother of God who is the King of the World and to that end applies to Her the Prophesie of that Illustrious Queen David saw standing in glory at the right hand of God thence he proclaims the Amplitude of her Power in the Spiritual
that we sacrifice to any of the Saints but to the God of the Saints only though we erect Altars to God in remembrance of the Saints St. Isidore oft dilates himself in the Praises and Worship of holy Mary and shews that the Catholick Saint-Servitude derogates not from that Worship which is due to God only (d) Ildefons l. Virginit Mar. c. 12. Venio ad Te sola Virgo Mater Dei Procido coram Te humilior coram Te Rogo Te ut obtineas deleri facta peccati Mei ut jubeas mundari me ab iniquitate operis Mei ut facias me diligere gloriam Virtutis tuae ut reveles mihi multitudinem Dulcedinis Filii tui ut mihi des loqui defendere Fidei sinceritatem Filii tui Concedas etiam mihi adhaerere Deo Tibi Illi sicut factori meo Tibi sicut Genitrici factoris Mei c. I approach to Thee O only Virgin Mother of God I prostrate my self before Thee I humble my self before Thee I beseech Thee obtain the cancelling of all my sinful Works command me to be cleansed from the Iniquity of my Crimes make me covet the Glory of thy Virtues reveal unto me the Plenty of the sweetness of thy Son Grant that I may profess and defend the true Faith of thy Son and that I may adhere to God and Thee To Him as my Creator to Thee as to the Mother of my Creator c. And St. Ildephons prostrating himself before the holy Mother of God conjures her by whatever is Sacred and Mysterious in the Conception of the eternal Word to obtain of Him the Remission of his Sins to command his delivery from all Iniquity to render him emulous of her own transcendent Vertues and to give Him a relish of the delicious Treasures of the Love of JESVS XCI The Opposers of our Catholick Saint-Servitude as taught and used by Christians of all Ages and Nations of the Apostolical Church regarding more the rind and Criticism of Words than the Spirit and Truth of Christianity discover'd by the Holy Fathers are much offended at the Phrase of Command sometimes us'd in our Addresses to the Mother of JESVS in order to his Divine and Theandrick Operations appertaining to Mans Redemption and Sanctification by Grace as in this passage of St. Ildefons Thence inferring our manifest Idolatry in Worshipping and Invocating Holy MARY as the chief and absolute Soveraign over Souls and Author of Grace and Holiness Calvin l. 3. Instit c. 20. n. 22. Answer p. 25. Specul p. 17. XCII But as the erecting of Temples and Consecrating Altars therein under the Patronage and Protection of Holy Mary the Mother of JESVS and the Ordaining Priests to offer Sacrifice there upon Her Festivals or the Imposing her Sacred Name in Baptismal Regeneration or making Holy Vows of Evangelical Perfection in a Religious Society establish'd in Memory of some Excellent Mystery of her Life c. cannot be reputed Idolatry because none of these Acts are design'd immediately properly and absolutely to Holy Mary but to God only the Supream Lord of all Creatures though by Appropriation performed in Remembrance of Her or of some Mystery relating to Christ or of some signal Favour obtain'd of Christ by her more powerful Intercession and Protection as by a super-eminent Saint a more glorious Image of the Divine Perfections and most endear'd Favourite in the Court of Heaven gratefully piously and duely acknowleg'd by those our external Acts So neither can those sensible Marks of that great Confidence Catholicks conceive of the power of the holy Mother of JESVS within his Spiritual Empire in Requesting Her to bestow Temporal or Spiritual Gifts or even to command us to be cleansed from sin which cannot be done but by the power of JESVS only in the known sense of the holy Church he esteem'd an Invasion of Gods Imperial Power or a Giving to Holy Mary that Religious Worship which is proper to JESVS the Son of the eternal God who alone is the absolute Creator and Giver of Life Light Grace and of all Good Things Eph. 2.8 Jac. 1.17 And the Soveraign Lord of All by Essence and indispensably in whole and in part Levit. 19.4 Ps 23.1 Insomuch that although God covenanting with his Church to assist her Governours Eminential or Representative in Teaching all Truth to co-operate with her Ministers of Sacraments in Sanctifying well-dispos'd Believers and to give Life everlasting to Faithful Laborours in his Vineyard with proportion to their Merits in Christ by Virtue of his Fidelity whereby his promise and performance still run parallel Matt. 28.20 Jo. 20.23 Scot. 4. d. 1. q. 5. n. 12. 2 Tim. 4.8 Trid. Sess 6. c. ult Yet in Right of Gods Essential Supremacy over all Creatures and Independency on all no Creature of whatever Spiritual magnitude can claim any Gift of his Mercy or power over his Will upon any strict Obligation of Justice Alens p. 1. q. 39. m. 1. D. Thom. q. 21. a. 1. D. Bon. 4. d. 46. a. 2. q. 1. Scot. q. 1. n. 4. 11. Smif tom 1. disp 4. q. 5. n. 45. But as St. Aug. 1. Conf. 4. says he gives what 's due though Debter to none because as St. Anselm remarks Prosolog c. 10. God is Just not giving as due but doing what becomes his Infinite Goodness upon his promise passed in his Gospel of Truth and Grace under the Seals of his most tender Love to Believers XCIII Whence 't is manifest according to the Doctrine and Spirit of the Catholick Church First that Faith Remission of sins and sanctifying Grace are not the principal proper and Physical Gifts of any however glorious Creature Secondly that God is not rigorously subject to any power beneath himself as to the dispensing his Gifts and Graces to us Thirdly That therefore whatever the Forms of our Prayers are their design is only to desire Gods gracious and glorified Servants to pray for us and according to the amplitude of their participated super-natural Dignity and the acceptableness of their Prayers according to the Measure of that Dignity covenanted for in the Gifts of Grace earnestly and effectually to obtain of God those Gifts for us purely by their Mediation of Intercession with God according to the known Decree of this Sixth General Council under Pope Agatho c. 7. Vnusquisque Christianus solo Deo adorato invocet Sanctos ut pro se intercedere apud Divinam Majestatem dignentur Having given Divine Worship to God only let every Christian pray to the Saints that they would vouchsafe to interceed to the Divine Majesty for them Syn. Constant Gen. 6. c. 7. And according to the practice of the Fathers of the Fourth General Council under Pope Leo the Great act 11. Flavianus post mortem Vivit Martyr pro nobis oret Flavian though dead lives Let the Martyr pray for us Syn. Gen. Chalced. act 11. XCIV Wherefore although according to the true Spirit of the Gospel of JESVS Catholicks
Illustrious Defender of the Prerogatives Immunities and Rights of the holy Mother of JESVS He proves that by Vertue of her Divine Maternity she approaches next to God in all communicable Perfections is free from all sin is to be worshipped and Invocated with super-eminent Saint-Servitude and is the mighty Envoy of our Nature to God for the reconcilement of Mankind (d) Albert. Magn. Marial c. 230. Albertus Magnus speaks in the same Phrase In his Marial he sayes that God in regard that his Son JESVS was the Son of Mary endow'd her with a kind of infiniteness of super-natural Perfection (e) S. Anton. de Pad Thom. Cantapret Rich. Mediavil Nicol. de Lyr. Jacob. de Vorag Pelbert Stellar In like manner a most Illustrious train of other learned and holy Preachers and Doctors of this zealous Age in their Panegyricks Summes of School-Divinity and Questions on the Books of Sentences do frequently justifie and propagate this sound Doctrine and Practice of super-eminent Servitude with so constant an Assent receiv'd from above (f) Robert. de monte Suppl Chron. Sigebert an 1228. The use whereof prov'd extreamly beneficial to the People of Soisson who touch'd with the Holy fire found a prodigious Redress through the Mediation of the holy Mother of JESVS (g) D. Bon. Spec. B. Mar. Lect. 7. consid 6. Ipsa non tantum in plenitudine Sanctorum detinetur sed etiam in plenitudine Sanctos detinet ne eorum plenitudo minnatur detinet nimirum Virtutes n◠fugiant detinet Merita ne pereant detinet Daemones ne noceant detinet Filium ne peccatores percutiat Whence the Seraphical Doctor might duely conclude That Holy Mary had not only a comprehensive Fullness of all Perfections of the Saints But moreover keeps the Saints themselves in their Fullness that it diminish not preserves their Vertues that they slack not supports theih Merits that they perish not restrain the Devils that they hurt them not and appeases her Son that he punishes not Sect. XXX Testimonies of the Fourteenth Age. CII THis Age still gives clear Evidences of the Piety both of Eastern and Western Churches towards the Holy Mother of JESVS (a) Nicephor Gregor l. 9. Hist Constant In the East we have the Emperour Andronicus the Elder of whom it is reported as a Test of the Belief and Practice of the Grecians and as a signal Mark of his Christian Zeal that he ever carried in his Bosom the Image of Holy Mary in witness of his special Veneration towards Her and of his confidence in her Protection and Prayers for a further proof whereof he frequently kissed it with Expressions of great Tenderness and Devotion towards Her upon his Death-bed (b) Scot. 3. d. 3. q. 1. n. 10. Quod est Excellentius videtur attribuendum Maria si authoritatibus Sacra Scriptura Ecclesiae non repugnet But in the West the Zeal of this Age is wonderfully conspicuous in Asserting the Preservation of the Holy Mother of JESVS from the Guilt of Original Sin revived and amplified An. 1303. by our renown'd Country-man the subtile and Pious Doctor John Dunscot the Glory of England the Ornament of Oxford the Star of the Seraphical Order and the Illustrious Champion of the transcendent Perfections of Holy Mary of the Amplitude whereof he prescribes this certain RULE That all that Excellency must be allow'd to Holy Mary which is not against the express word of God or the Authority of the Catholick Church (c) Durand 4. d. 49. q. 4. a. 1. Aug. Triumph q. 17. Sum. a. 3. ad 2. Franc. Mayr Hug. de Prat. Petr. Aureol Jo. Baccon Holcot Greg. Arim. Rusbrock Vid. Cavel Rosar Saec. 14. Her. p. 2. tr 2. d. 6. n. 38. To these may be added a vast Cloud of authentick Witnesses of our Catholick Saint-Servitude in General and of the super-eminent Worship and Mediation of Intercession acknowledged through all former Ages of the Church to be specially due to the holy Mother of JESVS Sect. XXXI Testimonies of the Fifteenth Age. CIII THE Piety of this Age towards Holy Mary is manifest (a) Art. Wickleff 48. apud Gualt Saec. 14. tit haer c. 14. Castro V. Sancti Walfingh hist p. 338. Waldens t. 3. p. 204. Ausu nimio debacchatur Wicleff in Sanctos eos orare prohibens festivitates eorum Honores quoslibet interdicens Wickleff with an excessive Insolence rages against the Glorious Saints denying they may be prayed unto and forbidding their Feasts to be solemniz'd and any Honour to be given unto them Thom. James in his Apology for Wicleff wherein he shews the Conformity of that Innovators Doctrines with that of the now Church of England c. 8. Sect. 24. 25. is perswaded that Wicleff in his later and more learned Works retracted his opinion of Praying to the Blessed Virgin Mary from the Judgment of Catholick Writers who about the time of the Council of Constans asserted the Veneration and Invocation of the blessed Virgin against the then spreading Impostures of Wicleff l. 3. Trialog c. 30. against this ancient Doctrine and Practice of the Catholick Church of which our learned Country-man (b) Thom. Waldens cit calls Wicleff Hostis omnium Sanctorum a profess'd Enemy of all Saints V. eod t. 3. Tit. 13. c. 118. Waldensis gives an exact account evidently proving That the glorious Saints according to the degree of their super-natural State and Grandeur ought to be honour'd and magnificently worshipped not Latreutically as Infinite and Independent Deities as our conscious Opponents would have it believ'd the better to colour their Separation from the ancient Body of Christians of the true Apostolical Line of Descent but with a sub-ordinate and relative Veneration due to them in Right of their participated Excellencies of Grace and Glory (c) Conc. Basil Sess 36. Declarantur sententiam eam quae tuetur quod beata Virgo praveniente operante Gratiâ dei singulari Originali peccato obnoxia non fuerit Piam Sanctam Cultui Ecclesiastico Fidei Catholica Recta rationi Sanctis literis consonam ideoque tenendam esse It is declar'd That the Opinion which maintains That the Blessed Virgin through the special preventing and operating Grace of God was not at all liable to Original Sin Is Pious Holy and agreeable to the Worship us'd towards her in the Catholick Church to Holy Catholick Faith to the Principles of Reason Holy Scripture and is therefore accordingly to be retained Again Sess 43. Constituitur ad turbas Ecclesia sedendas Pacemque Vnionem fidelium Intercessione divae Virginis impetrandam Debita solemnitate Festum Visitationis Beatae Virginis celebretur It is decreed That for the appeasing all present troubles arisen in the Church and for the obtaining a firm Peace and Union of Believers through the Intercession of the Divine Virgin the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin be kept with due Solemnity We have also the Judgment of the Fathers of the
Luther and Calvin Enemies of the Glory of the Saints of their acceptableness to God and of their Communion with the Just as if they who sometimes pray'd with us should now either not pray or to no purpose do pray for us and that they who here reliev'd us by their Prayers should now not know us nor mind us nor have any power with God to assist us Cassiodor l. 1. Institut c. 13. CIX So that nothing doth offer it self further to incapacitate the Glorious Saints and above all these the most Innocent Holy and Glorious Mother of JESVS to hear our Praises Honourable Appellations Expressions of Veneration and humble Petitions and to help us in our Wants since 't is possible Pious Authoriz'd and Beneficial and this more effectually in order to holy Mary by how much more glorious she is whom we Petition and by how much the greater Authority this Doctrine receives from its ancient Tradition as to matter of Right and Duty and its antient Practice and the many undeniable stupendious Benefits thereby obtained Trid. Sess 22. c. 3. de Sacrif Miss Sess 25. decret de Invoc above all exception evidenc'd in matter of Fact from the Histories of a Times and of Classical Writers living in those times agreeing both to the Doctrine receiv'd and Devotions used and Benefits granted and consequently obliging us to the like Practice and this most Eminently towards the holy Mother of JESVS because most excellent in all communicable Perfections above all however glorious PVRE CREATVRES and therefore deserving super-eminent Praises Titles of Honour most profound Veneration and our humblest and most confident Addresses that she vouchsafe to become our Advocate to JESVS The God of all Glory the Giver of all Grace the Forgiver of all Sin and the Saviour of Men and Angels from whom ever begins and to whom finally are directed all Praise Honour Worship and Supplication through the Mediation of the Glorious Queen of Men and Angels as from and to the Head-spring of all super-natural Light Grace and Glory Amen FINIS Books Printed and sold by Nathaniel Thompson at the Entrance into the Old Spring-Garden near Charing-Cross A Manual of Controversies clearly demonstrating the Truth of the Catholick Religion By Texts of Holy Scripture Councils of all Ages Fathers of the first 500 years Common Sense and Reason And fully answering the principal Objections of Protestants and all other â—ectaries Price bound 1 s. 6 d. 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the Holy Mother of JESVS they signify a super-eminent Saint-Servitude towards Her Esteem of her super-natural State and Confidence in her Protection and Mediation Bed. Serm. de S. Mar. Inter Varia German Patr. Constant Theoria Rer. Eccles These Rules and Limits being ever observ'd in our Catholick Addresses to the Mother of JESVS what hazard can there be of dis-respect to God by usurping the Rights of his Sacred Throne and Dignity What of scandal to the Godly by equalling a Creature to the Creator Such however is the Innocent Catholick Doctrine and Practice mis-represented through Love of Party and heat of Passion mis-guided by private false Lights Sect. VIII That the Worship given to the Holy Mother of JESUS is Religious and Laudable XXVI THe Opposers of the Contemplations cannot conceive How a Worship can be Religious and not begin from a Divine Motive tend to and end in God God only So that if Religious Worship be given by us to Holy Mary they conclude our Worship to be Sacrilegious because it invades the Rights of Gods Throne and makes her a DEITY To disperse this Mist of Misrepresentation 't is confess'd That Religion though not a Theological but Moral Virtue and a branch of Justice yet hath it for its chief Act and End To give due Worship to God for his own infinite Glory whereby he is our Supream and absolute Lord our first Cause and last End. The exact and adequate Object of Religious Worship in chief is a Collection of all those sensible Signs which are apt most effectually to testify to the World our sincere Esteem Love and Submission to God in Right of those his Infinite Excellencies and therefore those Divine Perfections are the original Motive and Measure of the whole Collection of those Signs Now because those Divine Perfections so conspicuous in God do as manifestly argue in us an unavoidable dependence on God as to our whole Being Motion and Rest therefore do they create in us an indispensable obligation of using those Signs under fit Circumstances wherefore they are not only the ultimate but also the Immediate Motive and Measure of this our Religious Worship and the End of this Religious Worship is God for his own infinite Excellency by those outward Signs blessed by us who in himself is blessed for evermore XXVII Within this Collection of sensible Signs of our Religious Worship the Offering of Sacrifice is one so proper so due to God only because it manifestly testifies His and His only absolute power over Life and Death That This in all States of the Church hath been specially reserv'd as the Holy Test of Mans dependence on and Duty to God his Creator and last End as both Laws and all Fathers and Divines do affirm Malach. 1.11 1 Cor. 11.26 Aug. l. 20. contr Faust c. 21. l. 10. Civ c. 4. Nic. 2. act 6. Trid. Sess 22. c. 1. D. Th. 2. 2 q. 83. Bell. l. 1. Miss c. 6. Less l. 2. Just c. 38. n. 19. Her. p. 4. tr 3. d. 8. n. 3. Therefore do the Fathers condemn the Arabian Collyridians of a gross Idolatry in offering their Cake-Sacrifices to the Mother of JESUS Epiph. haeres 78. 79. Baron ad Ann. 373. n. 30. Sander haeres 92. Gualter haer saec 4. c. 32. which no ways reflects on those Lights and Perfumes Catholicks do sometimes burn to the honour of the holy Virgin since by none look'd on as Sacrifices or as Protestations of a Supream Dominion but only as outward Symbols of their own lively Faith and of the ascent of a clean Soul to God by Prayer For this Royal Virgin needs not our Vain and Counterfeit Honours Bern. Epist 174. being dignify'd with real Excellencies of the first Magnitude next beneath the Majesty and Attributes of the Son of the Eternal God. Greg. in 1. Reg. 1. Anselm l. Excell Virg. c. 4. Suar. de Myster Christ d. 18. Sect. 4. Her. 4. tr 1. d. 4. n. 15. XXVIII But as to other sensible Actions by Us us'd in our Worship of God as Tests of our inward Value of Gods Omnipotency and Protestation of our own absolute dependence though they may be indifferently us'd by us as well in our Civil as in our Sacred acts of Veneration we owe to our Betters in either States Yet being assum'd and directed by the Virtue of Religion and having the Majesty of God for their Motive and the acknowledgement of his Omnipotency and of our dependence for their Ends They are properly and perfectly Acts of Religious Worship Yea these same Acts by reason of the aforesaid Indifferency to signify any Civil or Sacred Worship even as us'd in our Saint-Servitude only to express our acknowledgement of their Holy and Glorious State may proceed from the Motive End and Inclination of Religion whereby whether Immediately or only Mediately we do ever ultimately make profession of Gods Glory to which all knees must bow So that all these indifferent Actions even when refer'd to the Saints may be call'd Religious without giving the Saints any Divine Homage or otherwise invading the Just Limits of Gods Sanctuary XXIX For clearing this Truth and for removing the Ismaelites Rock of Scandal Observe That the participated Excellencies of Holiness Grace and Glory of the Saints may be consider'd two ways First absolutely and as those super-natural Gifts are habitually inherent in them and being diffus'd through their Souls do intrinsically imbellish Them and render them really Holy Just and Glorious Creatures Secondly Relatively or as those Excellencies do confer on these blessed Spirits a special super-natural and transfigurating Report to God whose accomplish'd Images they now are by consummated Holiness Grace and Glory and by Divine Vision Fruition and Tention made One Spirit with God intentionally in that blessed State. 2 Cor. 3.18 1 Jo. 3.2 2 Petr. 1.4 Aug. tr 2. in 1 Jo. Dion l. Div. Nom. c. 4. Bon. p. 4. Centiloq Sect. 1. For thus Divine Grace as the Seed of God 1 Jo. 3.9 transforms glorified Creatures into a Divine Being by participation of Authentick Marks and Covenants of Gods intimate Presence within Them of indelible Badges of his Friendship to Them and of their powerful Acceptableness to Him in his Sacred Courts and Councils for the promoting and propagating the Communion of the Saints and consequently by These Excellencies Seals the Saints with a super-naturalizing Character of Gods Image dignifies them with the Tale of his Temple and Sanctuary and adorns them with the stupendious Prerogatives of his Friends Favourites and adoptive Children XXX Now although the Super-natural Perfections of the Saints positively or absolutely consider'd as their glorious Endowments do challenge from us Mortals in this our State of Exile some Servitude or Worship and this far above Civil Respect by the Rules of Moral Politicks due to the Grandees of this World because they confer a degree of Excellency transcending the whole Sphere of Moral Vertue Civil power and Imperial Majesty Jo.
Council of Basil asserting as Pious Holy and according to Divine Revelation the Doctrine of the preservation of the ever Immaculate Mother of JESVS from all stain and liableness to Original Sin Conc. Basil Sess 36. And in recommending in a most special manner the Veneration and Invocation of Holy Mary as a most effectual Means for the obtaining of God the Blessings of Peace and Vnion between Christian Princes Sess 43. CIV The same Religious Practice is confirm'd (d) Jo. Gerson Colloq de Mendic Spir. p. 2. Virgo gloriosa spes certa Refugium singulare peccatorum tu Sancte Angele Dei Custos bone ac caeteri alii sancti caelestes estote adjutores defendite consulite associate propellite Canes illos Infernales O glorious Virgin my secure Hope and singular Refuge of Sinners and thou O Holy Angel of God my good Guardian and all the other Saints of Heaven be my Helpers defend me direct me be present with me drive from me those Infernal Dogs by the devout Chancellor of Paris who calls the holy Mother of JESVS The firm Hope and special Refuge of Sinners (e) Dion Carth. Serm. 4. de Omnib Sanct. Dion Carthus humbly begs the Protection and Prayers of the Saints (f) B. Laur. Justin Serm. Nat. Mar. Igitur ad honorem hujus Virginis praecinamus in Confessione Jesum veneremur in matre matrem honoremus in filio utrisque vota nostra fideliter exolvamus quatenus filium Genitrice interpeliante pro nobis vincamus mundum Therefore let us sing in Confession to the Honour of this Virgin Let us worship JESUS in his Mother and honour the Mother in JESUS Let us with all Fidelity pay our Vows to both that the Mother interceding to the Son for us we may conquer the World. Blessed Laurence Justinian having heaped up many Excellent Praises and Honourable Titles as an Illustrious Monumeni of his Piety to Holy Mary offers up his Vows of Fidelity to Her beseeching God that he may become victorious over his sensual Passions by her Mediation (g) S. Bernardin Serm. 15. de Fest Virg. Eo actu fidei obedientiae plus mercuit quam meruerint omnes sancti omnibus actibus ac meritis suis That act of Faith and Obedience wherewith holy Mary professing her self the Hand-maid of our Lord consented to become the Mother of JESUS she merited more then all the Saints did by all their Acts and Merits Serm. 61. Oportuit ut sic dicam faeminam elevari ad quandam aequalitatem divinam per quandam quasi infinitatem perfectionum gratiarum Non timeo dicere quod in omnem gratiarum influxus Jurisdictionem quandam haebuerit Quandam Jurisdictionem habet in temporalem Missionem Spiritus Sancti It behoved If I may so say that that Woman should be exalted to a certain degree of Divine Likeness as to a kind of resemblance of an Infiniteness of super-natural Perfections and Graces I may presume to say that she had granted to Her an Exuberant Power over the Influences of Grace and that she had a Kind of Jurisdiction in the temporal Mission of the Holy Ghost The devout St. Bernardine in his sublime Panegyricks frequently exhorts his zealous Hearers to a super-eminent Esteem of the Excellencies of Holy Mary and specially to confide in her Protection and Prayers as being singularly priviledg'd above all PVRE CREATVRES the most powerful Advocate Patroness and Mediatrice of Christians The holy Sanctuary of Propitiation and the most indulgent Refuge and Safe-guard of penitent Sinners 'T is very remarkable what he affirms Serm. 15. de S. Mar. That the high acts of Faith and Obedience which this Divine Creature used in her assent to the stupendious Mystery of the Incarnation were incomparably more Meritorious and acceptable to God than the Collection of all the most inflam'd Operations of the Saints And again Serm. 61. That she was endow'd with a kind of Immenseness of Sanctity Grace and Perfection and with an almost unconfin'd Jurisdiction over the Treasuries of heavenly Grace (h) Thom. à Kemp. Petr. de Alliac S. Vincent Ferrer Alphons Tostat S. Jo. Capistr Nicol. Cusan S. Antonin Nicol. Orbâ—ll Heur Harph. Biel. Trithom Bapt. Mantuan To these we might add an Immense Catalogue of Illustrious School-men Controvertists Preachers and Historians of this flourishing Age of the Church who oft repeat this Primitive Doctrine and Practice and with exemplar Zeal do humbly Venerate and Invocate the holy Mother of JESVS as their most potent Advocate at the Throne of her Son JESVS for the Blessings of this and the next Life Sect. XXXII Testimonies of the Sixteenth Age. CV IN this Age the Fathers of the Illustrious Council of Trent manag'd by a special Providence of God for securing the Ancient Doctrine and Customs of the Catholick Church receiv'd from above against the Innovations of Schism and Heresie by monstrous super-fetations invading Gods Sanctuary and polluting whatever is Sacred with their unclean private Spirit (a) Trid. Sess 25. Decret de Invoc Mandat Sancta Synodus omnibus Episcopis caeteris docendi munus curamque sustinentibus Vt juxta Catholicae Apostolica Ecclesiae usum à primavis Christiana Religionis temporibus receptum sanctorumque Patrum consentionem sacrorum Consiliorum decreta fideles diligenter instruant Sanctos una cum Christo regnantes Orationes suas pro hominibus Deo offerre bonum atque utile esse suppliciter eos invocare ob beneficia impetranda à Deo per filium ejus JESVM Christum Dominum nostrum qui solus noster Redemptor Salvator est ad eorum orationes opem auxiliumque confugere The Holy Synod commands all Bishops and others whose Office and Care it is to teach That according to the Practice of the Catholick and Apostolick Church receiv'd from the first Ages of Christian Religion the unanimous Consent of Holy Fathers and the Decrees of Sacred Councils they diligently instruct the Faithful that the Saints who Reign with Christ do offer to God their Prayers for Men that it is Good and usefull humbly to Invocate them and to have recourse to their Prayers Help and Assistance for the obtaining Benefits from God through his Son JESUS Christ our Lord who only is our Redeemer and Saviour Again Sanctorum corpora quae viva membra fuerunt Christi templum Spiritus Sancti à fidelibus veneranda esse per quae multa beneficia à Deo hominibus praestantur Imagines porro Christi Deiparae Virginis aliorum Sanctorum retinendas eisque debitum Honerem Venerationem imperiendam That the Bodies of Saints which were the living Members of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Ghost are to be worshipped by the Faithful and that thereby God bestows many favours on us Also that the Images of Christ of the Holy Virgin Mother of God and of other Saints be retained and that due Honour and Worship be given unto Them. do with great earnestness